Father charged with child abuse after being accused of driving drunk with daughter in car

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Currituck County, NC - 35-year-old Jasen Brown now faces misdemeanor child abuse charges after North Carolina state troopers say he drove drunk with his 12-year-old daughter in the car.

“Unfortunately, it does happen often; it’s a circumstance we never like to see,” said First Sgt. Tim Crumpler.

Troopers pulled Brown over March 8th along Highway 168 in Currituck County, near Tulls Creek Road.

When he took a Breathalyzer, Brown registered a .13 blood alcohol level.

The legal limit in North Carolina is .08.

“There is significant impairment when you are a .13, like slurred speech and delayed reaction,” said First Sgt. Crumpler.

Troopers say those factors combine to make a dangerous mix when you have children in the car.

“That just doubles the jeopardy, the risk factor. You’re putting your life in danger, but also your child, and everybody else on the highway,” said First Sgt. Crumpler, who is also the father of a 4-year-old boy, and just can’t understand why someone would drive drunk with their daughter in the car. “It’s sad to think people would take that risk, because they are precious commodities.”

Brown will be in court on April 23rd to face the DUI and child abuse charges.